Do you trust your dog walker?

The circle of trust…

Living in Hoboken the million years I have – you tend to hear a bevy of stories across the board about a myriad of topics. One of the Top 10 most discussed is: “Does your dog walker perform the services they promise?”

What disturbs me most is the fact that some dog walkers in Hoboken do NOT come through. I’ve heard stories from thieving dog walkers, to those that take the mutts out for 5 minutes or less – sometimes not at all!

Introducing the AccuWalker!

I spotted this device at Cornerstone Pets (9th and Wash) the other day. A BRILLIANT electronic wall pad that you mount, and hang your dog leash from. It tracks the time the leash has been off the hook – and even has built-in voice recording so you and you walker can communicate (i.e., “Spiffy did both a #1 and #2 today…” etc.)

A Hoboken411 reader is currently beta-testing this device, and we’ll report back in the near future as to its effectiveness. Either way, the concept is fabulous, and completely necessary in today’s world, when you can barely trust anyone to do a good job!

Do you have issues or concerns with your dog walker? Have you used this product yet?

bullshit. how many times has someone been caught by a hidden video camera and the victim was totally shocked to learn someone they trusted was doing something they shouldn’t. Most people are too trusting (or to stupid) to sniff out a pro. I see some of these people walking 6 or 7 dogs at a time. If a scuffle breaks out, they’d NEVER be able to break it up. I also used to see 1 douchbag stuff about 6 or 7 (some very large) into the back of a Subaru wagon, another woman would do the same but the vehicle was a Honda CRV. Those dogs would never survive in an all too common hoboken intersection accident. the dog walkers should all be forced to carry INSURANCE and be LICENCED by the city of Hoboken. A limit should be established as to how many dogs they can walk at 1 time. I had a dog for 14 years, walked him myself for 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening. you yuppies who bring your dogs down from your condos, stand there in front of your door while the dog relieves him/her self, should not own a dog, you people suck. Some of these dogwalkers are consciencious, others are not. It’s your dog people! trust should be earned, until then, everyone is suspect. In response to plywood who said: If you feel a need to buy “The Accuwalker” for reconnaissance purposes, there is something wrong with your… Read more »

Because anyone who is licensed and insured by the city of Hoboken is responsible and ethical? I agree with most of what you’ve written with the exception of this part. Do you realize how easy it is to become insured and bonded as a dog walker? That we are living in a time when we are seeing and experiencing among the worst behavior from many who are “licensed” to stand for and protect and educate our city? With all due respect as you do make some fine points, I will remain firmly footed in the reality that one must become established as a dog walker by being responsible and ethical. It really isn’t hard if you love what you do. Either you love what you do, or you don’t. If we desire trusting relationships with the people who teach or care for your kids or clean your house, you, as an ADULT, have an obligation to yourself (and others, including your pets) to develop one. These relationships don’t just manifest themselves, and you shouldn’t just expect them. They aren’t hard to work on, either, if you care enough for your loved ones and yourself in the process. Not trying to plug myself or anyone else in here, not revealing my identity either, but I don’t know what my boss would have done without me had I not been there for her and her dog all these years. She tells me the same often. THAT’S what this job should feel like.… Read more »

I agree, mooshu. Easy to be insured, bonded, listed on Pet Sitters International, etc. You simply pay the fee. In the end it all boils down to reputation and references. If I had a dogwalker, which I don’t because I walk my own only because I can, I would check references, ask neighbors to let me know if they see anything unusual, etc. I can’t IMAGINE hiring a nanny to take care of my kids. They would have to be waterboarded to pass my inspection. In response to mooshu who said: Because anyone who is licensed and insured by the city of Hoboken is responsible and ethical? I agree with most of what you’ve written with the exception of this part. Do you realize how easy it is to become insured and bonded as a dog walker? That we are living in a time when we are seeing and experiencing among the worst behavior from many who are “licensed” to stand for and protect and educate our city? With all due respect as you do make some fine points, I will remain firmly footed in the reality that one must become established as a dog walker by being responsible and ethical. It really isn’t hard if you love what you do. Either you love what you do, or you don’t. If we desire trusting relationships with the people who teach or care for your kids or clean your house, you, as an ADULT, have an obligation to yourself (and others,… Read more »

Good nannies are hard to come by. I’ve been lucky enough to come across really good ones, but I’m aware of a lot of not-good ones.

Use your judgment. There will come a time when you’ll need a sitter, even if just for a couple of hours, when you need space or have an emergency. In that case, it’s good to build relationships with trustworthy people that you can rely on when you’ll need them. Be prepared for those kinds of situations, and always, always treat an honest worker well.

In response to Friedupright who said:
I agree, mooshu. Easy to be insured, bonded, listed on Pet Sitters International, etc. You simply pay the fee. In the end it all boils down to reputation and references. If I had a dogwalker, which I don’t because I walk my own only because I can, I would check references, ask neighbors to let me know if they see anything unusual, etc. I can’t IMAGINE hiring a nanny to take care of my kids. They would have to be waterboarded to pass my inspection.

While your negativity is infectious, you speak to the larger point, that the world is lousy with people who bought a dog an a whim, and do not do their “due diligence” on defending the quality of life of the animal after the blush is off the rose. I for one refuse to live in a world where everyone is guilty until proven innocent. In response to trueblue11 who said: bullshit. how many times has someone been caught by a hidden video camera and the victim was totally shocked to learn someone they trusted was doing something they shouldn’t. Most people are too trusting (or to stupid) to sniff out a pro. I see some of these people walking 6 or 7 dogs at a time. If a scuffle breaks out, they’d NEVER be able to break it up. I also used to see 1 douchbag stuff about 6 or 7 (some very large) into the back of a Subaru wagon, another woman would do the same but the vehicle was a Honda CRV. Those dogs would never survive in an all too common hoboken intersection accident. the dog walkers should all be forced to carry INSURANCE and be LICENCED by the city of Hoboken. A limit should be established as to how many dogs they can walk at 1 time. I had a dog for 14 years, walked him myself for 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening. you yuppies who bring your dogs down… Read more »

In response to plywood who said:
While your negativity is infectious, you speak to the larger point, that the world is lousy with people who bought a dog an a whim, and do not do their “due diligence” on defending the quality of life of the animal after the blush is off the rose. I for one refuse to live in a world where everyone is guilty until proven innocent.

In response to plywood who said:
While your negativity is infectious, you speak to the larger point, that the world is lousy with people who bought a dog an a whim, and do not do their “due diligence” on defending the quality of life of the animal after the blush is off the rose. I for one refuse to live in a world where everyone is guilty until proven innocent.

I agree. The Accuwalker should be used WITH your dog walker as a willing participant. It’s just a way to share information without the need to contact the dog walker every day to know when they came. Anything more and you are missing the point.

In response to plywood who said:
If you feel a need to buy “The Accuwalker” for reconnaissance purposes, there is something wrong with your relationship with your dog walker that this device couldn’t possibly solve.

Rich Giersh of Happy Hounds is the best dog walker I have ever known. He hasn’t taken a day off in 3-4-5 (?) years, he has my dog out for over at the very least an hour and on some days when I have been off, he has him hour and a half or more! I had a dog walker before him that I was starting to feel bad about “firing” but it’s probably the best thing I ever did for my animal. I heard rumors about her not showing up for other people when they happened to be home for the day, although I don’t think that she/he ever did that to my dog, a walk around the block once a day wasn’t enough for my energetic pup. I don’t think all dog walkers are crooks, but I know a few who I are. I hope none of you are using them, because finding out the hard way that your animal is being neglected would really suck. I from a friend about his walker who was watching his dog while he was out of town (I offered to take him but he didn’t want to burden me since I already have a full house) he got back and heard from the neighbors that she hadn’t been even showing up and she still was harassing him for her money!! If I found out someone wasn’t showing up for my dog, I think I would probably punch them in the face!… Read more »

Oh, and one final thought: dog walkers are not always the thieves. Chances are that if one has given a key to a dog walker, one has also given a key to neighbors, family members, friends, acquaintances, repairmen, the lady across the street who brings in the mail and so on.

While I’m sure there are dog walkers with sticky fingers out there, I’m not digging this kinda reputation when many of us are honest folks who have no need for a fancy vase.

My advice? Screw most agencies as many cut throats. Ask your neighbors and friends who their loyal, long-time dogwalkers are and whether she/he can be shared with your dog from time to time.

A dogwalker should have a close relationship with a pet owner. You’re babysitting the dog, essentially, so communication lines should be open at all times, and a trusting relationship should exist. If not, chuck him/her.

The point of the AccuWalker is not to check on your dog walker but to give you information to make sure your pet is receiving regular walks. If the dog walker shows at 11:00am you may want to walk the dog at 6pm. If the dog walker shows up earlier, you may want to walk the dog as soon as you get home from work. It is for information purposes only and if you have a deceptive dog walker service you need to get a new one. The Accuwalker can only help you keep track of your dogs schedule, it is not meant to be a doggie-cam.

In response to mooshu who said:
My advice? Screw most agencies as many cut throats. Ask your neighbors and friends who their loyal, long-time dogwalkers are and whether she/he can be shared with your dog from time to time.

A dogwalker should have a close relationship with a pet owner. You’re babysitting the dog, essentially, so communication lines should be open at all times, and a trusting relationship should exist. If not, chuck him/her.

Whatever floats your boat, but the device doesn’t prove a thing and is a waste of money. It only displays the time in which a leash was moved. Anyone can move a leash at 11:00 AM and replace it at 11:20 AM.

Dog owners need to have a trusting relationship. That takes responsibility, follow-up and work. If they’re not gonna do the work in building one, then it’s ridiculous to blame the dogwalker.

Know how my “bosses” have checked in on me? By watching me in action, rarely, when they’ve come home early from work. By receiving reviews from their neighbors, all of which have been good.

:: Shrug :: I’m not afraid. I do my job well.

In response to jman7855 who said:
The point of the AccuWalker is not to check on your dog walker but to give you information to make sure your pet is receiving regular walks. If the dog walker shows at 11:00am you may want to walk the dog at 6pm. If the dog walker shows up earlier, you may want to walk the dog as soon as you get home from work. It is for information purposes only and if you have a deceptive dog walker service you need to get a new one. The Accuwalker can only help you keep track of your dogs schedule, it is not meant to be a doggie-cam.